Aim: The objective of this study was characterize the somatic soluble
antigens of adult Toxocara canis (Tc-SA) by western blotting.
Materials and
Methods: T. canis worms were collected from the naturally infected pups
after deworming. The somatic antigen was prepared as per standard procedure with
slight modification. These antigens were separated using Sodium dodecyl sulphate-electrophoresis
(SDS-PAGE). The specific reactivity of the Tc-SA proteins was checked against
the serum of naturally infected dogs as well with the hyperimmune serum raised
in the rabbit by western blotting.
Results: On SDS-PAGE recovered
proteins ranged in size from 44 to 300 kDa. The immuno-reactivity of the
naturally infected dog sera with the Tc-SA antigens showed 12 prominent
immunoreactive bands of distinct sizes at 28.61, 32.60, 38.10, 43.04, 49.99,
67.57, 73.22, 105.77, 144.74, 161.11, 177.84 and 196.31 kDa. The immuno-reactivity
of the hyper immune serum raised in rabbits against Tc-SA antigens was observed
with 10 prominent bands of distinct sizes at 17.11, 24.15, 34.83, 43.46, 52.47,
55.89, 67.57, 70, 74.60 and 105.6 kDa.
Conclusions: Common antigens band
were observed at 67 and 105 kDa. These antigens merit further evaluation as
candidate for use in diagnosis of toxocarosis in humans and adult dogs.
Keywords: diagnosis, Somatic-antigens, Toxocara canis, western blotting
